Rafael Benitez believes his Chelsea squad - the majority of whom won the Champions League last May - will realise how important the Europa League is when they arrive in Prague on Wednesday.

Chelsea play Sparta Prague in the last 32 tie first leg on Thursday evening, with Benitez admitting it will take an adjustment for players used to plying their trade in Europe's premier club competition.

"We will need some time (to talk)," said Benitez, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo in November after the holders were knocked out of the Champions League.

"In terms of flights and games it's like the Champions League, in terms of mentality, the first thought is 'hmm, it's different'.

"But if you see the teams that are in the Europa League, you will see it could be quite difficult.

"The day before we will fly, we will be there, they will realise it's Europe and they can concentrate 100%. I'm expecting that they will be focused.

"We will have to start thinking of it as a great competition, with good teams and we will try to do our best."

The Europa League is one of two trophies Chelsea can realistically still win this term; they began the season in contention for seven.

The Blues sit third, 16 points behind leaders Manchester United with 12 games to play in the Barclays Premier League, but remain in the FA Cup.

The next four matches are key for the Blues' season and could lift the mood at Stamford Bridge, by changing perceptions of Benitez's reign, which has been unpopular from the start.

Should Chelsea advance to the Europa League last 16, at the expense of Sparta Prague, beat Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round replay and win at Manchester City, cutting the deficit to the second-placed Premier League champions to one point, Benitez will be able to demonstrate progress.

Benitez is unfazed at the prospect of regular Thursday and Sunday fixtures which Europa League progress dictates, although it does limit the amount of time he has to work with his squad.

"Two games a week we can manage, if we have enough bodies," added the Spaniard, who won the UEFA Cup with Valencia and Champions League with Liverpool.

"Normally when you want to improve your team tactically, you push them. But in this situation you can't because if you push them too much they will be tired. The balance is quite difficult.

"The day after a game you have a light training session. The second day is before the game, so you have a light training session. Then you have to play.

"That means when you try to do your tactical adjustments, your preparation, you cannot do too much."